victoryroad

The new 645ci convertible looked good in pictures so I looked at one last weekend. The M6 is about two years away so I thought that the 645 convertible might be fun until then, but the materials that BMW uses on the interior are extremely unimpressive. the front seats are actually flimsy and do not convey a sense of strength and security. The CL55 makes the 645 look like a very overpriced offering. It might not even be a stretch to say that the CL55 makes it look like a cheap toy. Dynamically the BMW 645ci is very good and the M6 will be have awesome performance, but for the price (about $85000 for the 645 convertible) the CL55 looks like a very good value. The experience was quite instructive and reinforces my conviction in the CL55. Perhaps if the M6 has a better interior the convertible version may be of interest in a couple of years. Of course, by then the CL will probably be offered with a V10 or v12 NA engine with 600 bhp and a new exterior design--maybe even a convertible.

SL65amg

Does anyone out there know if Benz will ever offer the CL in a convertible? I heard many rumors of this a while back but none lately....

Maybe the next generation CL will offer a convertible option? That would be truly awesome to say the least !!! The quality, class, extra passenger space, and power of a next generation CL 65 (God knows how much power it will have --- 800+ HP???) with the top down, Sun out, enjoying life to the fullest ...... sounds nice indeed. :-)

FIXEDupW209

i jsut dont ever see the CL being offed as a convertible because you figure you would have to add an extra 10g's on top of the coupe for a convertible, at that price most owners would rather get a clk500 convertible or the 55. both are 4 seater, same engines, one is longer(CL) i just dont think people would justify soending that extra money.

Lov2xlr8

i would get a CL convertable. is the CLK coupe and CL coupe the same type of car? no, so with a CL being a convertable id get the best of both worlds. and for 10g more, think about it if you can afford $85K 500 $120k 55, whats another 10K for a convertable?

J Lucas

why not just get the SL?The CL doesnt need to be a drop. It wasnt designed to be.What would be its competition besides the SL Roadster? BMW nor lexus has anything in that range. Im guessing the jag xk would be the only thing of remote comparison?

victoryroad

Good point about the SL, but having spent a month or so with a 2003 SL 500 Sport at my place in south Florida last year it just does not come close to the CL for what I want. If the new design CL is available in a convertible, as the M6 will be in about a year, it would be my preference over an SL55. Another plus is that it would not have the senortronic brakes of the SL.

J Lucas

Everyone keeps saying those brakes are awful . What a blow to Mercedes R & D ...

Lov2xlr8

one good reason is b/c the CL is a 4 seater

J Lucas

I thought the CL was 2 + 2 seater.

Kar don

J lucas, ive driven an SL500 with the SBC system for around 60 miles and I thought it felt great! very easy to modulate, @ some points u could tell it was a computerized pedal but most of the time it felt great. I like the fact that the brake response was very consistent and pedal feel was always the same.

brabusamg

in my opinion the Cl is a CLassy car! and i agree it shouldnt be a drop top it should be left the way it is! I have a CL55 and love it and wouldnt change it if i wanted a convertable i would have got a SL and on bmws 6 series its supposed to be CL's competitor but i think its a piece of crap but then agian im a Mercedes enthuesiast. Just my 2 cents

ajayz

I don't think the 6-series can compete with the CL seeing that the CLK500 has already beaten the 645CI in tests.

Kain

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1

theitalianjob

PERFORMANCE
Performance points based on proportional scale (normalization).

MAX 645CI CLK500
0-60 mph time 30 pts 29.4 30.0
0-1/4 mile time 30 pts 30.0 30.0
Slalom 30 pts 29.4 30.0
Skidpad 30 pts 30.0 27.1
Braking, 60-0 mph 30 pts 30.0 27.5
Braking, 80¡V0 mph 30 pts 30.0 27.9
Fuel Economy 20 pts 20.0 17.7
SUBTOTAL 200 pts 198.8 190.2

SUBJECTIVE RATINGS
Subjective ratings based on points awarded in each of 12 categories by editors and scored based on a proportional scale.

MAX 645CI CLK500
Driving excitement 20 pts 20.0 18.0
Engine 20 pts 20.0 19.0
Gearbox 20 pts 20.0 18.9
Steering 20 pts 20.0 20.0
Brakes 20 pts 20.0 20.0
Ride 20 pts 20.0 20.0
Handling 20 pts 20.0 18.0
Exterior styling 15 pts 15.0 13.4
Interior styling 15 pts 15.0 14.2
Seats 10 pts 10.0 10.0
Ergonomics/controls 10 pts 8.9 10.0
Luggage space 10 pts 10.0 9.4
SUBTOTAL 200 pts 198.9 190.9

TOTAL POINTS
MAX 645CI CLK500
Price independent 400 pts 397.7 381.1

PRICE
Points based on a proportional scale; points range for price equals average points range of Performance and Subjective categories.

MAX 645CI CLK500
Price as tested 200 pts 191.3 200.0
$76,765
$61,195

FINAL STANDINGS
TOTAL POINTS
MAX 645CI CLK500
Price dependent 600 pts 589.0 581.1
1 2004 BMW 645Ci 2 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500

AMG FANATIC

If I had the money and was in the market for a CL500 or CL55 I would never look at the 6-series BMW. On looks alone the CL is by far better.

J Lucas

I dont even think its a comparison..

Tariq

What’s new on 645 ???

Just collection of 745 rear and front + 3 Series Door + 5 Series chassis & option = Is that all compare to Enough CL 500 ???

No WaY....

FInality